First Day of Session: Medicaid Expansion Bills Filed

Legislators began the 2013-2014 Legislative Session today in Raleigh. At the top of the list for bills filed were bills exempting NC from expanding Medicaid. Senate Bill 4 and House Bill 16 were filed. NASW-NC is OPPOSED to this legislation. See our Legislative Agenda for our other issues.

A press release from Senator Phil Berger’s office announced the introduction of the legislation and the Senate’s opposition to the Affordable Care Act.

We are urging social workers to contact the sponsors listed on both bills and let them know your opposition. Medicaid Expansion will insure close to 500,000 North Carolinians; reducing the number of uninsured citizens by 64%. The expansion would provide many uninsured, working adults health care coverage and provide them access to mental health services.

To see a list of bill sponsors, click here for the House and here for the Senate. Each sponsor listed has a direct link to the legislators’ websites that provide you with the legislators contact information.

For more information about Medicaid Expansion’s impact, please see the NC Justice Center’s Budget and Tax Center’s report.